Controller Replacement Instructions for Timberline 850 & 1300

This article will walk through how to replace the controller and the WiFi antenna on both the AC and D2 WiFi enabled Timberline 850 & 1300.

The Timberline series was the first grill to launch Traeger's WiFIRE technology.  There are two versions of Traeger's Timberline 850 and Timberline 1300 WiFIRE-enabled grills, the primary difference being the type of power used: AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current, branded on Traeger controllers as "D2"). While the controller functions are similar, the way to replace the controller on the different models do vary. Make sure to check your grill's model number to ensure you are following the proper steps.

Related Articles

• Controller Replacement Instructions for Non-WiFi Grills
• Controller replacement for other WiFi Grills
• Connecting your controller to WiFi
  
  

First: Determine Which Controller Your Timberline Has

There are two versions of Traeger's Timberline 850 and Timberline 1300 WiFIRE-enabled grills. Each version has a different corresponding controller.

The easiest way to identify which version you have is to look at your grill's serial number. Find you Grill's Serial & Model Number here.

	AC WiFIRE Controller	D2 WiFIRE Controller
Applicable Model Numbers	TFB85WLB TFB01WLB TFB01WLEC	TFB85WLE TFB85WLEC TFB01WLE TFB01WLEC
Controller SKUs	KIT0216	KIT0486 KIT0478
Identifying Features	Plain front	Indicates D2
Front
Back

Replacing a WiFIRE Controller on a D2 Timberline 850 & 1300

The steps to replace a controller on a D2 Timberline 850 or 1300 are very different from the ones above. This replacement follows the same flow as replacing controllers on other D2 WiFIRE grills. The only difference is these models have a WiFi antenna (which improves WiFi connection) that needs to be removed. 

D2 Timberline 850 & 1300 WIFI Controller

Applicable D2 Grills

• Timberline 850 (TFB85WLE)
• Timberline 1300 (TFB01WLE, TFB01WLEC)

Applicable Controller SKUs

• KIT0486
• KIT0478

Tools Needed

• Phillips Screwdriver
• Replacement Zip Ties (Optional)

Replacement Instructions

1. 1. Power off and unplug your grill.
   2. Remove the WiFi Antenna (see, How to Remove a Timberline WiFi Antenna, below).
   3. Remove the 4 screws that hold your controller in place using a Phillips screwdriver.
   4. Unplug the wire connections from the controller.
      • Each wire connection has its own unique design to help you tell which wire belongs where once you install the new controller.
   5. Feed the WiFi antenna wire back through the controller hole.
   6. Plug all plastic connectors into the new controller.
   7. Reinsert the 4 screws that hold the controller in place.
   8. Reinstall the coaxial connector to the antenna mount and reattach the bottom panel.
   9. Plug in your grill and turn it on.
   10. Replace the QR code from under the hopper with the one you received with your replacement controller.
       
       • NOTE: The original QR code is associated only with the original controller that came with the grill upon manufacturing. The new QR Code is associated with the customer's new controller.
   11. Connect the grill to WiFi and pair with the Traeger app using our iOS or Android instructions.
       
       

How to Remove a Timberline WiFi Antenna

The Timberline WiFi antenna can be found underneath the hopper.

This process is only necessary for Timberline grill models manufactured in 2019 or later. 

Applicable SKUs: KIT0495

1. Power off and unplug your grill.
   
2. Remove the lower panel on the underside of the hopper by unscrewing the 4 screws holding it in place. The four screws are usually tight and can be difficult to loosen.
   
3. Remove the lower part of the external antenna.
   
   
4. While holding the upper part of the coaxial antenna connector, unthread and remove the lower nut from the connector.
   
   
5. Pull the coaxial connector out of the antenna mount.
   
   
   

Replacing a WiFIRE Controller on an AC Timberline 850 & 1300

Replacing an AC WiFIRE controller is very similar to replacing a non-WiFi controller. To determine if your Timberline 850 or 1300 is an AC model, please compare your model number to the applicable grills below.

Applicable AC Models:

• Timberline 850 (TFB85WLB)
• Timberline 1300 (TFB01WLB, TFB01WLEC)

Applicable Controller SKU

• KIT0216

Tools Needed

• Phillips Screwdriver
• Replacement Zip Ties (Optional)

Replacement Steps

1. Power off and unplug your grill.
2. Remove the 4 screws holding the access panel to the hopper.
3. Once removed, unclip the zip ties holding the wire harness together. 
4. Unscrew the 4 screws holding the controller to the hopper.
5. Carefully Pull the controller away from the hopper
6. Unscrew the grounding wire.
7. Unplug the thermocouple from controller then go through each Molex (plastic) connector disconnecting it from its component.
   • Each wire is color coordinated to assist in reconnection once new controller is installed.
     
8. Pull out the old controller.
9. Replace the controller and go through and plug each wire back into its color-coded wiring, including thermocouple (- & +) and grounding wire.
10. Screw controller back into hopper panel.
11. Make sure free hanging wires are nicely bunched back up keeping them away from the moving parts in the grill.
12. Screw hopper panel back to the hopper.
13. Plug in and turn on.